Obama, Biden Endorse Harris For Senate

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have endorsed California Attorney General Kamala Harris in her U.S. Senate bid.

Their support, announced today, could help Harris lengthen her lead over her opponent and fellow Democrat, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez.

Democratic strategist Darry Sragow says that because both candidates are of the same party, it could have more effect than a typical endorsement.

"Its importance is related directly to the fact that the top two vote-getters in the U.S. Senate race are both Democrats," says Sragow. "So, if the goal of the Harris campaign is to send a message to Democratic voters in the fall that there’s an official Democrat or a preferred Democrat, this will help accomplish that."

Sragow says he finds the endorsement unusual, particularly because the president wants Sanchez to vote for his policies in the U.S. House.

"Frankly I was surprised," Sragow says. "I’ve been in this business a long time and you can call me a traditionalist, I suppose."

The most recent poll shows Harris, the California Attorney General, with a double-digit lead in the race.

As the State Government Reporter, Ben covers California politics, policy and the interaction between the two. He previously reported on local and state politics, business, energy, and environment for WFAE in Charlotte, North Carolina. Read Full Bio